Joint Training 2
As a shadow cast over the Sanctuary grasslands, the knights from Valkyra Kingdom caused a stir.
What slowly descended was the balanced airship Ouranos.
Deploying its landing gear, it landed on the ground without so much as a slight impact.
Valkyra Kingdom’s knights were so surprised their mouths hung open.
Among them, Guilford-san was the first to regain himself, turning to Galahad-san for an explanation.
「F-f-father! W-what is that!?」
「Q, Quiet! Calm yourself, Guilford!」
「I can not calm down! It’s flying in the air!」
It was understandable why Guilford was reacting that way. Even Galahad was at a loss for words when he first saw it.
At that moment, the hatch of the Ouranos opened, and Laeva alighted from within.
「Takumi-sama, the Ouranos is all set up. We can commence boarding at any time.」
「Thanks, Laeva. Galahad-san, it would be a bit cramped, but please start boarding half of the Sanctuary Knights as well as half of the Valkyra Kingdom’s knights.」
「Understood. I will be boarding this flight as well, and will set up base camp on the other side.」
「Okay. Please set it up at the open space of the base. Please make sure key facilities of the base are monitored and prohibited entry to.」
「Of course. We will not allow anyone to enter the key facilities, don’t worry. Hey, what are you dawdling for? Lead half of your group and come along, Guilford.」
「…understood.」
Guilford-san reluctantly agreed and divided the Valkyra Kingdom’s knights before boarding.
This time, even though they’re knights from Valkyra Kingdom, not all of them are from noble families of the Royalist faction, and many of them were selected, so while it may be a bit cramped, we should be able to transport them in two trips.
The ramp of the Ouranos was raised, and it began taking off.
Upon reaching a certain altitude and retracting its landing gear, it began accelerating towards the west.
The flight path was to momentarily head out seawards, then turn towards the Demon Continent.
The Ouranos that began accelerating soon vanished out of sight.
「Woah, it’s really flying.」
「Yeah, you can really tell how amazing it is looking at it from the outside.」
Those exchanging their thoughts as the Ouranos flew away were Heath-san and Lyle-san, who were charged with looking after and guiding the remaining knights.
Lyle-san in particular still didn’t fully behave like a knight, but he had been a scout during his adventurer days. In dungeon attacks like these, he exhibited exceptional skill.
「Heath-san, until the Ouranos comes back, please let the Valkyra Kingdom’s knights rest.」
「Yeah, gotcha. So, how long til the Ouranos comes back?」
「Let’s see. Probably in around eight hours. On the return trip, Laeva might be the one flying, so it’s possible that they return sooner too.」
「Eight hours, huh…… in that case, how about we team up and practice linking up?」
「That might be a good idea. I’ll leave that to you then, Heath-san.」
「Yeah, I got it.」
I left the remaining knights from Valkyra Kingdom in Heath-san’s care, while I returned home temporarily.
In front of the door, I cast purification magic on myself, and when I opened the door, I could hear the pitter-pattering of small feet.
「Daddyーー!」
「Pa, pa.」
「Paapa.」
Flora was the first to jump at me, and running behind her were Etoile and Haruka who clung to my legs.
「I’m home. Have you been good little girls?」
「Flora was good!」
「Etowaru, good, kid.」
「Haruka too!」
Flora, who grew fast because she was a Beastkin, had a lot of energy to run as she pleased, and her speech has been improving a lot.
I thought Etoile as an Elf and Haruka as a Human were growing at a normal pace, but according to Sophia and Maria, they were among the early ones to start walking and talking.
「Uppie! Etowaru uppies!」
「Haruka too! Haruka too!」
「Yes, yes.」
Seeing Flora cling to my torso with both hands and feet, Etoile and Haruka demanded I carry them too.
Being careful to not drop Flora, I carried Etoile and Haruka in my arms and headed to the living room.
「I’m home.」
「「「Welcome home.」」」
「「「Welcome back, sir!」」」
I exchanged greetings with Sophia, Maria, Marnie, as well as the maids, and I plopped on the sofa with the kids still in my arms.
Sophia thought it was strange that I came home when I was supposed to be going into the dungeons in the Demon Continent with the Valkyra Knights.
「Are you not supposed to be on the way to the Demon Continent?」
「Ah, yeah, we can’t carry everyone in one go to the Demon Continent with the Ouranos. We have some time to spare.」
「I see, it really wouldn’t be ideal to use the Teleport Gates, now would it?」
「What a hassle.」
「It can’t be helped. With that being the case, Flora and the girls would love it if you played with them.」
When I explained the reason to Sophia, she nodded. Maria summarized being unable to use the gate in one word. Seeing our daughters clinging onto me so happily, Marnie said times like this is nice once in a while.
In the end, I played with the kids until they were tuckered out and took their afternoon naps, then I returned to the grassland area, waiting quietly for the Ouranos to make its return.
It made me happy, but man, the kids’ energy really was something.
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